Kentucky Wildcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) let out a yell after a UK run forced a time out as #1 Kentucky played Iowa State on Saturday March 17, 2012 in Louisville, Ky. Photo by Mark Cornelison | Staff Herald-Leader

Kentucky Wildcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) let out a yell after a UK run forced a time out as #1 Kentucky played Iowa State on Saturday March 17, 2012 in Louisville, Ky. Photo by Mark Cornelison | Staff Herald-Leader

True, Indiana maneuvered past Virginia Commonwealth to a Sweet 16 rematch with the Cats, just as Calipari's crystal ball predicted. And yet, considering the Hoosiers no longer have Verdell Jones (torn anterior cruciate ligament) and Kentucky has motivation (along with superior talent), UK has to be the heavy favorite when the two teams lace up their sneakers Friday night in Atlanta.

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But then, considering the delicious way Kentucky played in the Yum Center over the weekend, you wonder whether any team, or conspiracy theory, is capable of stopping the Cats' train to New Orleans.

Western Kentucky Coach Ray Harper nitpicked Thursday night that UK needed better perimeter shooting. So the Cats came out Saturday against Iowa State and made 10 of 20 three-pointers.

"They want to talk about our three– point shooting," Calipari said afterward. "We're one of the best in the country. We just don't shoot a lot. And we don't shoot a lot because we get to the rim, we throw lobs, we play different. We get a lot in transition. If you make us shoot threes, we will shoot them."

Iowa State was known as a deadeye three-point-shooting team, just the sort of collection that has given UK problems. So the Kentucky defense forced the Cyclones into missing 19 of 22 shots behind the arc.

Before the post-season began, some questioned whether freshman point guard Marquis Teague was capable of rising to the occasion. Saturday, the Indianapolis native scored a career-high 24 points.

"He knew they were double– teaming them off of him," said Calipari. "So he said, 'Guys, I'm cutting to the rim. I'm cutting to the rim. My man is the guy that's leaving.'

"And we all looked, and I said, 'Do you guys understand what he's saying?' And they did."

It's far from over, of course. The Cats are not even halfway to hanging banner No. 8.

So far, the bracket sort of feels that way. Others are leaving, and Kentucky is taking it straight to the rim.